It’s almost winter here in Brownington, Vermont, and you’re probably already planning your next ski or snowshoeing trip. And although this may seem like the perfect time of year to poke fun at out-of-state people for their inability to drive in snowy or icy conditions, usually, it’s best to focus on our own driving to ensure we’re fully equipped to take on the weather, no matter how bad it gets. Here at B & B Towing and Recovery, safety is a top priority for us, especially around the holiday season. In this blog, we’re going to take a look at a few tips for safe driving this winter.

Replace Your Tires

Depending on the type of tires you have, they should last between 25,000 and 50,000 miles. However, when you get them replaced will depend heavily on how well they’re maintained and the road conditions you drive on. Although you can take your car into an auto mechanic shop to have them inspected, it’s pretty easy to tell on your own whether they need replacing or not. Look at the tread wear bars, the little rubber bridges in the grooves between the ridges. If the tread pattern is level with these bars, you should look into getting tires replaced. Right before winter is the perfect time to get those tires replaced.

Beware of Black Ice

Black ice is something that can take even the most experienced drivers by surprise. Although it may be obvious when there’s snow, slush, or ice patches on the road, black ice is never as noticeable and can often look just like water. Black ice requires a very specific set of conditions to be met in order to form which makes it even more surprising when you encounter a patch. Oftentimes, black ice forms when the weather changes rapidly. For example, if ice melts due to sunlight, the ice could refreeze when the sun goes behind the clouds and the temperature drops below freezing again. It’s unlikely black ice will form in urban areas that see a lot of traffic, but it is possible.

Always Err On The Side Of Caution

For the most part, driving in the winter is the same as driving in the summer, you just need to be extra cautious if it’s cold or there’s snow or ice on the roads. If there’s snow, ice, or slush on the road, drive well under the speed limit, and if there’s a lot of traffic, drive even slower. When you’re on the highway, be sure to stay farther behind the car in front of you and never slam on your brakes. Take corners slower than you normally would and never make any sudden lane changes.

Now is the best time of year to add your local towing company, B & B Towing and Recovery, to speed dial. Doing so will ensure that you always know who to call if your car ever breaks down or you get in an accident this winter. Stay tuned to our blogs here for more helpful driving tips.